Learn the names of herbs and spices in Arabic. Get to know how to say oregano and thyme in Arabic.
Middle Eastern cuisine is famous for its use of herbs and spices. Popular herbs and spices used in the Middle East are coriander, cumin, mint, nutmeg, turmeric, paprika, ginger, and cinnamon.
The Middle East has been a crossroads for trade for centuries. This is how the region has acquired a diverse range of dishes with influences from all over the world including Europe and Asia.

Today you are going to learn over 40 Arabic names of the most common herbs and spices, such as; oregano, thyme, cinnamon, and many more. Check Food in Arabic: Vocabulary and Quiz, where you can learn more Arabic vocabulary related to food and eating.
If you don’t know the Arabic alphabet yet check our post: Arabic alphabet – All you need to know to write in Arabic.
How to say herbs in Arabic?
The word herbs in Arabic is أَعْشاب [a3shaab], and the singular is عُشْب [a3ushb ].
The Arabic word for seasoning/ spice/ condiment is بَهار [bahaar]; seasonings بَهارات [bahaaraat]. You can also use the word تابِل [taabil], plural: تَوابِل [tawaabil].
Related vocabulary: plants names in Arabic, names of flowers in Arabic.
How to say nutmeg in Arabic?
Nutmeg in Arabic is جَوْز الطّيب [jawz aT-Tiib].

List of herbs and spices in Arabic
Below you can find a list of the Arabic names of the most common herbs and spices. The list includes simplified pronunciation of each word.

English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
aniseed | يانَسون | yaanasuun |
basil | ريحان | rayHaan |
cardamon | هيل | hiil |
chili pepper | فِلْفِل حارّ | filfil Haarr |
coriander | كُزْبَرَة | kuzbara |
cinnamon | قِرْفَة | qirfa |
cloves | قَرَنْفُل | qaranful |
cumin | كَمُّون | kammuun |
curry | كارِي | kaariy |
dill | شِبِثّ | shibithth |
fennel | شَمْرَة | shamra |
garlic Read: vegetables in Arabic | ثوم | thoom |
ginger | زَنْجَبيل | zanjabiil |
harissa | هَرِيسَة | hariisa |
honey | عَسَل | 3asal |
leaves | أَوْراق | awraaq |
marjoram | بَرْدَقُوش | bardaquush |
mint | نَعْناع | na3naa3 |
mustard | خَرْدَل | khardal |
nettle | قُرّاص | qurraaS |
nutmeg | جَوْز الطّيب | jawz aT-Tiib |
onion | بَصَل | baSal |
oregano | أوريجانو | uuriijaanoo |
rosemary | روزماري | roozmaariy |
parsley | بَقْدونِس | baqdunis |
paprika | فِلْفِل أَحْمَر | filfil aHmar |
pepper | فِلْفِل | filfil (also fulful) |
black pepper | فِلْفِل أسْوَد | filfil aswad |
white pepper | فِلْفِل أَبْيَض | filfil abyaD |
green pepper | فِلْفِل أَخْضَر | filfil akhDar |
red pepper | فِلْفِل أَحْمَر | filfil aHmar |
sage | ميرَمِيَّة | miiramiyya |
saffron | زَعْفَرَان | za3faraan |
salt | مِلْح | milH |
sesame | سِمْسِم | simsim |
sugar | سُكَّر | sukkar |
sumac | سُمّاق | summaaq |
tarragon | طَرْخون | Tarkhuun |
thyme | زَعْتَر | za3tar |
turmeric | كُرْكُم | kurkum |
vanilla | فانِيلا | faaniilaa |
wasabi | وَسابي | wasaabiy |
vinegar | خَلّ | khall |
Herbs and spices in Arabic Quiz
Quizzes are a great tool to practice your vocabulary. All the Arabic vocabulary lists on our website contain quizzes at the end of each lesson, to help you remember newly learned words. To check more Arabic Quizzes go to -> Selfarabic – Arabic Vocabulary Quizzes
Herbs and spices in Arabic Quiz
Check how well you know the Arabic names of herbs and seasonings.
– 10 questions –
Let’s get started!
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